[Elecraft] SMT and the K3 - Nerves

[Joel Black]

I started building kits in January of 2011.  Been a ham for almost 20 
years and missed the "Heathkit Generation."  Why do I mention this?  
Well, the kits I wanted to build were SDR's (SoftRocks to be specific).  
They are great little radios and wonderful for those wanting to 
experiment with SDR; however, they have lots of SMD parts.

The only things that will affect whether or not you can do it is (and 
I'm not trying to be funny here):

1.  If you physically cannot see,
2.  You shake too bad to be able to handle the parts, or
3.  You are intimidated.

I *was* #3 (and I have fairly large hands).  Now, take a look at this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lauw0bSe-Cw

...and this:

http://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Prototyping/General/SMD-SolderingWorkshop.pdf

Bottom line, if you *want* to do it, you can do it.  Go to the SoftRock 
Yahoo Group and ask some of those guys their ages.  Some of them are in 
their 70's and older and do not have an issue with SMD's.

You know what sucks?  Toroids!  I hate them!

I'm not typing this to make fun of, intimidate, or harass you.  Rather, 
I am doing this to motivate you.  IT CAN BE DONE!

73,
Joel - W4JBB

On 4/19/2012 9:18 AM, Lee Buller wrote:
> I have SN 443 - an early model of the K3.  It has been back to Aptos for
> updates.  Now then, I just got at P3 and included in that is a kit that that
> changes a resistor on the K3 to give 10 db more to the P3.  It is SMT, but they
> also include a small resistor if you don't want to use the SMT resistor.  Now I
> have visors and I have magnifying glass on an arm....but LOOKING at this
> procedure and the K3....it gives megreat pause.  This is a whole new game for me
> from the K2.  I have huge hands and this just makes me nervous.
>
> Somebody.....make me un-nervous about clipping off an SMT resistor and replacing
> it with either another SMT (Like that is going to happen - NOT) or the little
> resistor.
>
> Lee - K0WA
> Nervous in Kansas
>
>
>   In our day and age it seems that Common Sense is in short supply.  If you don't
> have any Common Sense - get some Common Sense and use it.  If you can't find any
> Common Sense, ask for help from somebody who has some Common Sense.  Is Common
> Sense divine?
>
> Common Sense is the image of the Creator expressing revealed truth in my mind.
> -  John W. (Kansas)
>
> Never interfere with anything that isn't bothering you.
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